Iran said accreditation for its newly appointed ambassador to Lebanon remains pending and expects the process to proceed naturally, playing down talk of a diplomatic rift after reports about the Lebanese foreign minister delaying the file.

Axar.az informs, citing Iran International, “We have accepted Lebanon’s new ambassador, and I hope the process of accepting our new ambassador in Lebanon will follow its natural course,” foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said during his weekly briefing on Sunday when asked about the reported suspension.

Baghaei rejected suggestions that diplomatic ties had been disrupted, saying relations between Iran and Lebanon were long-standing and ongoing.

Iran already has an ambassador in Beirut and that Lebanon’s new ambassador has recently taken up his post in Tehran, he added.

“The relevant process regarding Iran’s new ambassador in Lebanon has been underway for some time,” Baghaei said. “We hope this process will proceed in a normal manner in Lebanon as well, and that our new ambassador will be stationed there.”

Lebanon’s foreign minister, Youssef Raji, has declined to advance the administrative steps required to approve Iran’s proposed ambassador, including submitting the credentials to the cabinet and presidency, the Lebanese pro-Hezbollah daily Al-Akhbar reported on Saturday.